Vought F7U Cutlass

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vought_F7U_Cutlass

The Vought F7U Cutlass was a United States Navy carrier-based jet fighter and
fighter-bomber of the early Cold War era. It was a highly unusual, semi-tailless
design, allegedly based on aerodynamic data and plans captured from the German
Arado company at the end of World War II, though Vought designers denied any
link to the German research at the time. The F7U was the last aircraft designed
by Rex Beisel, who was responsible for the first fighter ever designed
specifically for the U.S. Navy, the Curtiss TS-1 of 1922.

Regarded as a radical departure from traditional aircraft design, the Cutlass
suffered from numerous technical and handling problems throughout its short
service career. The type was responsible for the deaths of four test pilots and
21 other U.S. Navy pilots. Over one quarter of all Cutlasses built were
destroyed in accidents. The poor safety record was largely the result of the
advanced design built to apply new aerodynamic theories, insufficient thrust and
unreliable engines

Role Naval multirole fighter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Chance Vought
First flight 29 September 1948
Introduction July 1951
Retired 2 March 1959
Primary user United States Navy
Produced 1948–1955
Number built 320

Pitch and roll control was provided by elevons, though Vought called these
surfaces "ailevators" at the time. Slats were fitted to the entire span of the
leading edge. All controls were hydraulically-powered. The very long nose
landing gear strut required for high angle of attack takeoffs was incredibly
stout, however the high stresses of barrier engagements, and side-loads imposed
during early deployment carrier landings caused failure of the retract
cylinder's internal down-locks, causing nose gear failure and resultant spinal
injuries to the pilot. The F7U was also largely let down by its underpowered
Westinghouse J34 turbojets, an engine that some pilots liked to say "put out
less heat than Westinghouse's toasters." Naval aviators called the F7U the
"Gutless Cutlass" and/or the "Ensign Eliminator" or, in kinder moments, the
"Praying Mantis"

The F7U's performance suffered due to a lack of sufficient engine thrust;
consequently, its carrier landing and takeoff performance was notoriously poor.
The J35 was known to flame out in rain, a very serious fault.

The first fleet squadron to receive F7Us was Fighter Squadron 81 (VF-81) in
April 1954. Few squadrons made deployments with the type, and most "beached"
them ashore during part of the cruise owing to operating difficulties.

Specifications (F7U-3M)

General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 41 ft 3.5 in (12.586 m)
Wingspan: 39 ft 8 in (12.1 m)
Span wings folded: 22.3 ft (6.80 m)
Height: 14 ft 0 in (4.27 m)
Wing area: 496 sq ft (46.1 m2)
Empty weight: 18,210 lb (8,260 kg)
Gross weight: 26,840 lb (12,174 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 31,643 lb (14,353 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Westinghouse J46-WE-8B after-burning turbojet engines, 4,600 lbf
(20 kN) thrust each dry, 6,000 lbf (27 kN) with afterburner

Performance
Maximum speed: 606 kn (697 mph; 1,122 km/h) at sea level with Military power +
afterburner
Cruise speed: 490 kn (564 mph; 907 km/h) at 38,700 ft (11,796 m) to 42,700 ft
(13,015 m)
Stall speed: 112 kn (129 mph; 207 km/h) power off at take-off
93.2 kn (173 km/h) with approach power for landing
Combat range: 800 nmi (921 mi; 1,482 km)
Service ceiling: 40,600 ft (12,375 m)
Rate of climb: 14,420 ft/min (73.3 m/s) with Military power + afterburner
Time to altitude: 20,000 ft (6,096 m) in 5.6 minutes
30,000 ft (9,144 m) in 10.2 minutes
Wing loading: 50.2 lb/sq ft (245 kg/m2)
Thrust/weight: 0.45
Take-off run: in calm conditions 1,595 ft (486 m) with Military power +
afterburner

Armament
Guns: 4 20mm M3 cannon above inlet ducts, 180 rpg
Hardpoints: 4 with a capacity of 5,500 lb (2,500 kg),with provisions to carry
combinations of:
Missiles: 4 AAM-N-2 Sparrow I air-to-air missiles




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